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Who may benefit from an Assistance Dog?
Any person who
has a physical or psychological/emotional condition which substantially limits a
major life activity might be a candidate for an Assistance Dog. Health care and
social service providers can help identify and evaluate their clients’ needs to
determine if an Assistance Dog might be a viable option for them.
Studies have
been done which showed that people with disabilities who had Assistance dogs
reported significant increases in psychological well-being and self-esteem,
independence, community integration, social acceptance and the amount of control
they could exert over their environment. In addition, the number of personal
assistant (human) hours required for care decreased by an average 78%. This
represents significant potential savings in health care costs.
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